Acid Tanker Driver Burns to Death After Vehicle Overturns and Catches Fire on Rajasthan Highway

A driver was charred to death after a chemical-laden tanker overturned and caught fire on National Highway-48 in Dungarpur district, Rajasthan, on October 4, 2026, according to police officials reported by ETV Bharat and Newsable. The mishap occurred within the jurisdiction of the Bichhiwara police station near Goga Mod, where the tanker, described as speeding, overturned after the driver lost control of the vehicle. The tanker was moving from Baroda towards Uttar Pradesh and was loaded with acid at the time of the accident, Bichhiwara Station House Officer Devendra Deval said.

The tanker caught fire immediately after overturning, and the spilling chemical further intensified the flames, Deval said. The driver remained trapped inside the cabin while the front windshield had shattered, which allowed the cleaner to escape and save his life. The cleaner attempted to rescue the driver, but the intensity of the fire prevented him from getting close, and the driver burned to death. The injured cleaner was rushed to hospital. According to Deval, the two individuals were maternal uncle and nephew, both hailing from Pura Tanda in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh. A fire brigade was dispatched from Dungarpur and firefighters managed to bring the fire under control after a strenuous effort.

The cause of the accident is under investigation. Patrika notes that this stretch of NH-48 has several dangerous bends and sees frequent accidents. The specific acid cargo and its regulatory compliance remain unconfirmed in available reporting, as does the condition of the injured cleaner.

Sources

ETV Bharat, October 4, 2026, etvbharat.com Newsable / Asianet News, October 5, 2026, newsable.asianetnews.com Patrika, October 5, 2026, patrika.com